The Biblical Path of Life

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  • Be Crucified with Christ

    “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

    Saul was the first king of Israel. He looked (physically) like a good king. However, his true nature was soon revealed. But the most devastating thing that happened, was that he chose to do what he wanted to do instead of fulfilling God’s Word. When he disobeyed God, and did not repent for that, Samuel told him that God was going to take the kingdom from him and give it to another – a man who would choose to please God more than himself.

    Saul saw the Philistines, the enemy, gather against Israel. Saul was afraid. When he inquired of the Lord (wanting help for the battle), the Lord answered him not. See why God does not answer those who choose to live for themselves instead of obeying God’s Word. “28. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29. For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30. They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.  31. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices” (Proverbs 1:28-31). God would not speak to Saul because Saul had chosen to disregard God in his life. It was at this point that Saul learned a Word from God (through Samuel, the prophet) that Saul and three of his sons would die in battle against the Philistines, and the kingdom would be given to David, one who would obey God and do His will.

    Saul, along with three of his sons, died in battle the next day. And David became the king of Israel.

    This should be a mighty example for anyone who chooses to do what they want to do instead of what God’s Word says they are to do. Because of Saul’s disobedience, he lost his life and his kingdom.

    The following verse should be foremost in our hearts and minds: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). I am not to do what I want, for I am crucified with Christ (this means that I put my selfish desires to death, choosing instead to please God). I am to live a life pleasing to God, by the faith I received because I believe in Jesus, God’s Son – the One who gave His life for me.

    Have you crucified your selfish desires to live a life pleasing to God?

  • Be Still

    “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

    There is much fear in the world today. I have never known a time when so many people are afraid of almost everything. Today is a day of uncertainty. One hears of earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, illnesses, the downfall of the economy, rumors of wars, and so many other things of which to be afraid.

    Why shouldn’t one be afraid?

    What does God’s Word teach us about fear? We are to remember that God is with us. “1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof” (Psalm 46:1-3). If we walk with God, He will be with us. 

    Remember what Paul wrote to Timothy: “7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord …” (1 Timothy 1:7-8a). If one has Jesus in their heart and life, and is walking with Him, that Christian should not be afraid.

    However, there is one thing a Christian is to fear.

    What is that? We are to fear the Lord, doing what His Word says to do. “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:7). That should be rather easy – for if we walk with God, we will depart from evil. So that when all of the troubles of the world seem to come against us, we can stop and be at rest knowing God is in control. “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).

    Do you take time to be still and know that God is with you?

  • Seek Good and not Evil

    “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.”
    Amos 5:14

    According to Amos 5:14, we are to seek good things in this world, not evil. Many times, God’s people had quit seeking good and were continually doing evil. God often sent a prophet to speak His words to the people; frequently it was when God’s people were in sin and rebellion. The prophets were sent to remind the people to seek God and follow His commands.

    If you think about it, the prophets had a fascinating role in history. Not only did God send His prophets to tell the people to seek God and follow His commands, but they were entrusted with God’s Word to be delivered to the people. Exposing the sins of the people and revealing the need for repentance (turning a humble heart back to God) took much courage. Although it was a difficult task, we see faithful men accomplish what God asked of them. Even when the people refused to listen at the time, we see God working to fulfill His plan. As students of the Bible, we should never be afraid to study the words written in the books of prophecy. Understand that God knew and chose these men. 

    God called Isaiah. God asked whom He could send; who would go? Isaiah answered God’s call to go and tell. He obeyed when God called.

    God knew Jeremiah before he was born. He knew Jeremiah would be a prophet for God (see Jeremiah 1:4-10). He called, prepared, sent, and promised to be with Jeremiah. Jeremiah prophesied for over forty years.

    Ezekiel was called by God to speak to the children who were born in captivity, for many of them would be the ones who would later return to Jerusalem after the seventy years of captivity. He helps us understand the importance of teaching our children about the things of God.

    Daniel proved himself worthy to be use by God when he refused to obey the king and instead chose to obey God’s commands. He and his three friends were not afraid to stand and choose to obey God rather than man. They are mighty examples for us to remain a separate and faithful people, despite adverse circumstances.

    The prophets were called such because they were messengers of God, men whom God called to proclaim “the word of the Lord” to His people, the Israelites. The Gentile nations were usually only mentioned as either a source of conflict with the nation or for being blessed because of Israel. Primarily, the prophets were to expose the sins of the people, revealing the need for repentance and to remind the people to obey God’s laws. “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken” (Amos 5:14). The prophets told of two very important events: the first and second coming of Jesus. They gave many insights as to the timing, the place, and even the manner in which He would come. Even when they could not fully understand everything they recorded in God’s Word for us to read today, they were faithful to obey God and His commands.

    Remember that God never gives us anything to do that He won’t help us complete, if we only will trust Him. Because only God knows all, we sometimes have trouble obeying when we don’t understand. As we read, we can understand that the prophets were faithful men who followed God, even when they didn’t completely understand. Sometimes the prophet held only a piece of the future events. These prophets each held different pieces of information given to them by God. Now we can read the entirety, put those pieces together, and see they all point to Jesus.

    Have you put the pieces together to see Jesus?

    Also seen on Lighthouse Gospel Beacon Blog.

  • Whose Servant are You?

    “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
    James 1:22

    In today’s world, it isn’t very popular to obey God.

    The admonition to serve God with all of our hearts, and not to turn from His way, is very important for Christians. In order to follow God, it is important to obey His Word. Obedience is extremely important to Him (and this is repeated numerous times to His people). In order to obey God, we must know what His Word says.

    How can one know God’s Word? One must first seek after it and hide it in their heart. How does God’s Word get into one’s heart? “10. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:10-11). One must search after God, read the Bible, and memorize His Word for it to be found in our heart.

    Once we hide God’s Word in our hearts, we know what to do. We can understand what God expects from us. However, the most important thing comes next: we are not only to hear it, but also to do it! “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). Notice if we just hear God’s Word and do not do it, we deceive ourselves.

    Read the following warning: “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16). When one chooses to do what they want over what God says to do, that person has yielded himself, or herself, to sin. But, when one chooses to obey God, it is considered obedience unto righteousness.

    Are you a servant to sin?

    Or, do you obey God’s Word unto righteousness?

  • A Light in the Darkness

    “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
    1 Corinthians 10:11

    God often reminded His people what He expected of them. Before they were led into the land God promised to them, see what He told them: “Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes” (Deuteronomy 12:8). He also told them: “… thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 13:18).

    Not too long after the people were given these warnings, we read about a particularly tragic time. It is recorded in the book of Judges. A dominant theme is found within this book: “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Notice that it doesn’t say they did wrong; they thought what they were doing was right. Although it didn’t appear wrong to them, it was wrong in God’s eyes. They did not obey the commands God had given them. We can read that the Israelites had rejected God as their king. They chose to be friends with the enemy nations. They also continually chose to turn to the enemy’s idol worship. However, we understand that God never left His people. When the enemy oppressed, God sent a judge (a champion) to deliver them from the hands of their enemies. Gideon and Samson are probably the most familiar judges. The book of Judges reveals some terribly vile things that took place. One excessively despicable event even led to civil war within the nation, almost annihilating one of the twelve tribes.

    God’s people were supposed to reveal to the world the love of God for those who follow and obey His Words. “1. And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2. And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). But instead, they rejected God and His Word to do what they thought was right. “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Because of this, we read what God said the consequences of not obeying the word of the Lord would be. “62. And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God. 63. And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought …” (Deuteronomy 28:62-63a). They were not a light, revealing God in the world. 

    There are so many examples in the Bible of which we should take notice. They are there to remind us of what happens when we cease to obey God’s Word and choose our own path. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). Jesus wants Christians to be a light in this world. “14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). When the Christians in the churches cease to be obedient to God’s Word, it is much like a light that is put under a bushel. Compromising Christians hurt themselves, their families and their churches. Worse than that, they can also contribute to the decay of a whole nation. We can see this pictured in the book of Judges.

    Are you a compromising Christian, hurting loved ones and contributing to the decay of a nation?

    Or are you a light, showing Jesus in this world?

  • Secrets

    “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
    Matthew 13:35

    Have you ever been told a secret? Did you want to keep it a secret or tell someone else? Secrets are hard to keep, yet the most important “secret” ever is not shared nearly enough. God had secrets, and He told many of them to His people. We can know those secrets today if we will just read His Word.

    The prophets of God revealed secrets that had been “kept secret from the foundation of the world.” “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 13:35). It is important to know about the prophets from the Old Testament, and become familiar with what they had to say. The Old Testament prophets were important then, and they are still important today. If you have ever read any of the books of the prophets from the Old Testament, they are full of strange events and tellings that, to the common person, make no sense. They seem like mysteries or secrets.

    Although the Bible is full of mysteries, God wants us to understand the mysteries, or secrets, of the Old Testament. He wants us to realize that it all centered on the coming of Jesus, God’s Son. “25. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith” (Romans 16:25-26). Once we have Jesus in our heart and read God’s Word daily, we can understand those mysteries. We do not need prophets today because we have the prophets’ words written in the Bible. Our job is to know God’s Word so we can share this “secret” that has been revealed to the world. The books of the Old Testament are very important.

    Jesus told of a Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. The Rich Man died without trusting in Jesus. Lazarus, a very poor man on earth, died trusting in Jesus. When the Rich Man was in hell, being in torments, he could see Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham. The Rich Man cried out for some water to cool his tongue. However, he was told that there was a great gulf fixed between the two that could not be crossed. The Rich Man then asked for someone to be sent back to warn his five brothers, lest they too end up in hell. Read Abraham’s response to him: “30. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:30-31). Everything they needed to hear to be warned about that place had been recorded in the words of Moses and the Prophets. Remember, the mystery of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ was revealed in the Old Testament “by the scriptures of the prophets” and it was “made known to all nations” according to Romans 16:25-26.

    Just as Jesus told of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the Law and the Prophets had the words that could have saved the Rich Man’s soul for eternity if he had only believed them. It is very important to understand that without Jesus in our hearts, it is never enough. Many of the prophet’s words were warnings to the people.

    Are there any words of warning we need to share with our friends or family?

    Also published at Lighthouse Gospel Beacon.

  • Choose to do Good

    “Seek the LORD, and ye shall live …”
    Amos 5:6

    ‘The Israelites sinned against God when they forsook Him and worshiped creatures (golden calves, Baal, etc.). They also walked in the ways of the heathen (the wicked and idolatrous nations around) instead of walking in God’s Laws and statutes they had been taught. Notice that in the New Testament, Paul preached to people in the same condition. He warned that the wrath of God would fall upon those who knew the truth, but did not live it out in their lives: “18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:18–19, 21–25).’

    Notice that Paul portrayed a progressive departure from the truth of righteousness they knew. It was not a sudden departure. Search your heart to see if you are guilty of knowing the way of righteousness, yet not living in the truth of it. This is an important question for each Christian to consider!

    ‘What should we learn from Israel’s obstinacy? Jesus should be our ultimate example. “21. … [B]ecause Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (2 Peter 2:21–22, 24). 

    When we know what is right, we should do it. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Seek God if one is not sure — remember Amos’ plea, “Seek the LORD, and ye shall live …” (Amos 5:6). We should never sin away our lives — as Israel did. For, “… There is a sin unto death …” (1 John 5:16).’

    Have you chosen to do good and to seek the Lord?

    Excerpts from The Biblical Path of Life, Year Two Quarter One, Lesson 10; Shallum – Hoshea. www.biblicalpath.com

  • Have you seen God?

    “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.”
    Job 42:5

    God created all things. We can understand that He created all things, including us, for his pleasure. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11). But have you ever taken time to hear about God? How about trying to see Him?

    What does it really mean when people say they have “seen” God? Can anyone really “see” God? Some things you see without physical eyes. This “seeing” is referring to the movement of God in one’s own personal life. A few books in the Old Testament reveal men wanting to know God better – in a personal way. Job, King David (in the book of Psalms), and King Solomon (in the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon) were such men. We also see God move in the hearts and lives of these men. There is a great picture of this in the life of Job.

    Job opens with a behind-the-scenes event that Job never knew about (a very important fact for us to consider!). Satan presents himself before the throne of God. Remember; God knows all, see: “… for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts …” (1 Chronicles 28:9b). Yet we find that He asks Satan if he has set his heart upon Job. Read how Job is described: “… a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth (turns away from) evil” (Job 1:8). Satan wants to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). This fact is vividly portrayed in the book of Job. Job lost all of his wealth, his ten children, and eventually even his health. Yet through all of the adversity that Job endured, he never cursed God. He sought his own heart, and he acknowledged God and who He is. When he did not understand what it was that was happening to him, he appealed to God.

    And God answered him.

    Although Job never fully understood what happened, or why, we can read about it for ourselves in the book of Job. Job’s faith and trust in things of which he did not know is rather amazing. Yet through it all, Job’s faith and trust in God grew. Even knowing how God described Job at the beginning of the book, read what Job recognized about his own condition in the presence of God. “5. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6).

    These events give us much insight, if only we will receive it. Although Job never knew that God allowed Satan to cause these events in his life, we find that he trusted God. There is an important thing that we should remember – God knew Job. He knew that Job could endure all of those things and even grow in his faith and trust in Him. When we are faced with things, we should understand that God won’t allow anything to happen to us that He doesn’t already know we can handle. If we just will! “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Temptation here means “putting to proof (by experiment [of good], or experience [of evil]; to try.” And the words to be tempted here mean “to test.” But my favorite part: the words God is faithful. The word faithful here means “trustworthy; faithful; true.” I can trust God because He is faithful through it all! Job understood this before it was even written.

    Have you trusted God to be faithful during your trying times?

    Posted also at Lighthouse Gospel Beacon

  • God’s Enduring Love

    “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
    Romans 3:23

    ‘Just as the Israelites were told of their sin and called to repentance, the same call is extended to us today. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). All are guilty of sin, and there is a penalty to pay. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). In addition, God provided one who paid the penalty for us — if only we would receive. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Just as God extended a call to the Israelites, warning them before judgment would fall, God warns us today. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). What response does God require? “8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:8–10). What are we to do with that information? “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).’

    Have you called upon the Lord while he is near?

    Excerpt from The Biblical Path of Life, Year Two Quarter One, Lesson 9; God’s Enduring Love. www.biblicalpath.com

  • Remembering the History

    “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent …”
    Revelation 3:3a

    Do you remember anything you have learned from the Bible? It is important to daily read God’s Word. If you do not read it, you will not remember it. Remember is the key word. If we do not remember and hold fast to what we learn from God’s Word, we will never grow in Christ. The more we learn about God’s Word, the more we will want to be like Him. By learning the history in the Bible, we will understand the significance of why things happened. God had a plan, which is hard to understand unless you learn the Old Testament history. While it was happening, men did not fully understand what that plan was, but through faith, they believed. The more we learn, the more pieces of the puzzle we can fit together. Each piece helps us become better students of God’s Word, which helps us become better Christians.

    For instance, remember the book of Judges. The dominant theme within the book is this: “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Notice that it doesn’t say they did wrong, men thought what they were doing was right. But also notice this: “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves” (Judges 3:7). Although it didn’t appear wrong to them, it was wrong in God’s eyes. They did not obey the commands God had given them.

    There was a vicious cycle that occurred in Judges:

    • The people forsook God.
    • God allowed the enemy to oppress the people.
    • The people cried out to God.
    • God sent a deliverer (a judge) to end the oppression.

    In Judges, the people as a whole rejected God.

    But then we remember the book of Ruth. It is a breath of fresh air in a time of turmoil in the nation of Israel, for it is a picture of redemption. Ruth was a Gentile (a Moabitess) who lived in a pagan land. She did not know the true God. When an Israelite family moved to Moab because of a drought in Israel, Ruth married into this family and heard of God. When her husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law died, she returned with her mother-in-law to the land of Israel. Because she had recognized a light in her dark world, she wanted to follow that light. She had learned of God and did not want to lose that. Her view is clearly stated: “16. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17.  Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16-17). It was there after being redeemed by a kinsman, that she forever became a part of Jesus’ genealogy. She was the great-grandmother of King David.

    One important thing about studying the history in the Bible is to be aware of God’s plan for His people. As we consider what God’s Word says, we should understand how it fits together, much like pieces of a puzzle. As we try to keep in mind and hold fast to the things we learn from God’s Word, it will help us recognize God’s plan for our lives. We must remember what God’s Word says.

    Have you recognized God’s plan in your life?

    Also published at Lighthouse Gospel Beacon.